Govt launches empowerment network in public service delivery drive

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The Government, in partnership with Instiglio, a global non-profit organisation, has officially launched the Government Empowerment Network (GEN).

The network is designed to improve public service delivery by identifying, inspiring and equipping public servants with the tools and knowledge to drive institutional reform.

GEN is spearheaded by the public service ministry and aims to create a new generation of public sector champions capable of influencing real change and scaling up the impact of public policy.

The network is expected to provide targeted support to civil servants through both digital platforms and in-person engagements, fostering innovation, collaboration and leadership across government institutions.

At the heart of GEN is an empowerment lab, an online platform where public servants can build problem-solving and leadership skills, access AI-powered knowledge resources and collaborate with peers and experts across ministries.

Additionally, GEN features an incubator programme, a six-month in-person journey where selected public service champions undergo intensive training to design and implement locally led reforms.

The inaugural Uganda GEN Cohort includes 30 public servants drawn from six ministries: Public service, education and sports, water and environment; finance, gender, and the Office of the Prime Minister.

During the official launch at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, public service minister Wilson Muruli Mukasa emphasised the importance of empowering civil servants to enhance service delivery.

He stated that participants in the GEN programme understand the challenges impeding effective service delivery and are in a position to propose practical solutions.

“For us to provide services that meet public expectations, we must possess the requisite skills and competencies,” Mukasa said. “If we lack them, we risk stagnation and poor service outcomes.”

Wilson Muruli Mukasa, the Minister for Public Service, addressing guests during the launch of the Government Empowerment Network (GEN) at Sheraton Kampala Hotel in Kampala on July 8, 2025. (Photo by Lawrence Mulondo)

He described GEN as a platform for brainstorming, policy synthesis and strategic action planning.

“Once participants formulate actionable proposals, it becomes the duty of the government to act on them. Where necessary, we’ll also engage development partners for additional support.”

Mukasa also noted that although GEN currently involves only six ministries, the initiative will eventually expand to encompass all government institutions, encouraging inter-ministerial cooperation and holistic governance.

He highlighted key factors affecting public service performance, including workforce capacity, resources, and most importantly, civil servant motivation.

“Motivation goes beyond pay; it includes access to health insurance, tools, ongoing training, and the right institutional frameworks,” he added.

Rethinking public service reform

Gender ministry permanent secretary Aggrey Kibenge praised GEN as one of many efforts to rejuvenate Uganda’s public sector.

He acknowledged that while the Government has undergone several reforms, from the colonial bureaucratic system to the present, the need for continuous improvement remains.

“The Government exists for the people. To assess our effectiveness, we must consider how satisfied the public is with the services they receive,” Kibenge said.

He likened GEN to a wake-up call, urging civil servants to reassess their roles and responsibilities with a people-centred focus. “Whether you’re in health or energy, your role must connect to the public good.”

Kibenge also stressed the importance of breaking down silos between ministries. “We are judged as one government. If one ministry underperforms, it affects the whole system,” he said.

Patrick Okello, the commissioner for refugees in the Office of the Prime Minister, highlighted the complexity of today’s public service, shaped by Uganda’s evolving socio-economic landscape.

He emphasised the need for a dynamic, adaptable and professional civil service that can respond to modern challenges.

He said civil service effectiveness depends on several key factors: Quality training, enabling work environments, professional integrity and equitable remuneration.

“When you have disparities, like some public servants earning 20 times more than others—it creates tension that can hinder progress.”

Okello also stressed the importance of leadership that matches institutional goals, and the need for public servants to multi-skill and remain adaptable.

“We must be able to swim when the boat starts sinking. That kind of resilience requires support and training.”

A global vision with local impact

Avnish Gungadurdoss, Co-founder of Instiglio and GEN, explained the organisation’s mission: To make governments the most effective institutions in society.

Since its founding in 2012, Instiglio has worked in over 40 government institutions across Africa, Latin America and Asia, impacting more than 60 million people.

“In Uganda, we’ve supported the Prime Minister’s Office in strengthening refugee response systems and worked with the Ministry of Water and Environment to improve sanitation services,” Gungadurdoss said.

He emphasised that reforms do not happen in a vacuum. “It’s not just about frameworks and performance tools. The real drivers of change are public servants, the people who steer the system.”

After years of dialogue with civil servants and government leaders, they recognised a gap in access to support systems, knowledge, and recognition.

GEN, he said, was designed to address these gaps by equipping public servants with the tools they need to drive change.

GEN’s platform includes access to cutting-edge AI tools, an empowerment lab for leadership development, and a reform incubator tailored to local contexts.

“This is about empowering public servants to become powerful, skillful agents of change, to fully own the vision and transformation of their institutions,” he said.

Gungadurdoss revealed that GEN will expand globally, with launches planned in Morocco and Colombia later this year, and discussions underway with leaders in Sierra Leone, India, and Peru for a 2026 rollout.